A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Helsinki for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cesis or Helsinki?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Helsinki can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cesis

Cesis is a quaint, small, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a nature-focused, coastal, and environmentally conscious city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Helsinki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Helsinki?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Helsinki than Cesis, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Helsinki is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cesis is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Helsinki is more touristy than Cesis and is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Also, Helsinki is famous for The Helsinki Cathedral. Cesis is well known for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Helsinki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Helsinki and Cesis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cesis or Helsinki?

Helsinki is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cesis or Helsinki? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Helsinki is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Helsinki. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Cesis may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The town is small so there are a limited number of restaurants to choose from. You'll find some nice cafes and bakeries though where you can enjoy local foods and traditional Latvian dishes.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Nightlife?

Helsinki is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Cesis The town is small and many travelers visit as a day trip from Riga, so you'll find limited nightlife options around town.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is a decent place to visit for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Cesis. The old town is small but charming and authentic. There are a few unique sites that are worth visiting as well.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Cesis. The town makes the perfect base for exploring the surrounding Gauja National Park, which has many hiking and cycling trails. Two of the most well known hikes are the Baltic Forest Trail and the Camino Latvia, both or which pass through town. There are also shorter day hikes to choose from as well.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Helsinki?

Helsinki is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Helsinki is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Families?

Helsinki is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very kid-friendly city. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Cesis offers lots of family activities. The Cēsis Medieval Castle has a unique interactive set of tasks and games that the whole family can enjoy. Other fun family-friendly activities around town include adventure parks such as Supervāvere, the camel park of Rakši, and a farmhouse bakery where kids can learn about traditional baking and breadmaking.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Couples?

Helsinki is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Cesis is a good town for couples to visit. There are a number of outdoor activities that adventurous couples can enjoy. The medieval castle is also a unique place to explore.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Helsinki are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cesis is a good town to visit for backpackers. Many people visit town as a day trip from Riga, so there are a limited number of hotels and hostels to choose from. If you want to enjoy hiking and the area's natural beauty, it is recommend that you spend more time here.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Students?

Helsinki is well known for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Cesis is not popular with students.

Is Cesis or Helsinki Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Helsinki is well known for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Helsinki can get you to some places easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Public transit is quite limited in Cesis. There are some bus options, but to thoroughly explore the surrounding area you'll really need access to a car.

Is Cesis or Helsinki a more walkable city?

Cesis and Helsinki both are notable when exploring on foot.

Cesis is a somewhat walkable place. It's fun to explore old town on foot but many places in the surrounding countryside require a car to access.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable town. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

For even more information, also check out Is Cesis Worth Visiting? and Is Helsinki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Helsinki or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Helsinki?

It's fun to spend time in either Cesis or Helsinki. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Helsinki due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cesis, and 2-4 days is enough time in Helsinki.

Families should spend more time in Helsinki than Cesis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Helsinki, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Helsinki than Cesis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Helsinki that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Cesis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Helsinki.

One day in Cesis or Helsinki?

Cesis is a small town where visitors enjoy the . With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Helsinki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this waterfront destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Cesis or Helsinki?

Cesis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cesis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Cesis or Helsinki?

Cesis is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Cesis or Helsinki?

Cesis is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Cesis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cesis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesis and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki than you might in Cesis.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Helsinki Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Helsinki?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Helsinki, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cesis or Helsinki?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cesis or Helsinki in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Helsinki. The summer months attract visitors to Cesis because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.

Cesis is around the same temperature as Helsinki in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Helsinki fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Helsinki. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Helsinki in the Autumn?

Both Helsinki and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cesis is a little warmer than Helsinki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Helsinki averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Helsinki in the Winter?

Both Helsinki and Cesis during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cesis for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Helsinki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cesis. In January, Cesis is generally a little warmer than Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around -6°C (21°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Helsinki. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Helsinki in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Helsinki. Many visitors come to Cesis in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Helsinki for the natural beauty during these months.

Helsinki can be very cold during spring. Cesis is much warmer than Helsinki in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Helsinki fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Helsinki. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Helsinki and Cesis